Fish Farming: The Federal Government during the weekend commenced training of 730 youths from the Niger Delta region in various vocational training, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Usani Uguru has said.

The Minister who disclosed this during the graduation ceremony of 25 students who had undergone training on fish production, information technology, business development and entrepreneurship skills, held at the Alumni Centre of the University of Ibadan, said the beneficiaries are carefully selected from the region.

He said the fund for the training of the selected 730 from the region was part of the 2017 budget.

Uguru who was represented by the Director of Economic Empowerment, MNDA, of the ministry, Alhaji Ibrahim Akanya said the programme was part of the promises of the Federal Government to improve developmental project in the region.

He explained that the Federal Government decided to take the programme outside the region for the beneficiaries to enjoy peaceful atmosphere and decide where they will like to invest their business in future, adding that the Federal Government will continue to invest in human capital to improve the standard of living of Nigerians.

The Oyo State Commissioner for Information Culture and Tourism, Toye Arulogun and the Principal Agricultural Officer at the ministry, Harry Abiye urged the graduates to use the knowledge garnered to impact knowledge in the society, rather than seeking for white collar jobs.

The Chief facilitator and the Chief Executive Officer of Siegener Sabithos Nigeria Limited, Dr. Tunde Anifowose-Kelani said there was improvement in fish production and farming in 2018 compare to that of last year.

He said the company had taught the students on how to turn fish production into money making business, adding that he was confident that all the students will make use of the practical experiences they have garnneed during their training.

Nigeria Only African Country Currently Issuing Biometric Visa — Official

Nigeria is currently the only African country issuing biometric visa, according to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Mr Abubakar Magaji.

Magaji stated this at the 2017 End-of-Year Dinner and Award Night of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Abuja.

Representing the Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), at the occasion, he said the biometric visa was one of the outstanding achievements of the NIS in 2017.

“I want to congratulate the officers and men of the Service, especially the awardees, and to tell you that we are proud of you.

“You have done an excellent job this year. You have won an excellent award of the ease of doing business.

“You have made us proud because at this moment, Nigeria is the only country in Africa that is issuing biometric visa.

“It started this year, but we have already launched it. I know the biometric visa is going to block many people that we don’t want to come to Nigeria,” he said.

While urging the agency to do more in the coming year, Magaji assured it of the continued support of the ministry, which supervises the NIS.

Reeling out other achievements of the NIS, Chairperson of the event planning committee, Mrs Edith Onyemenam, said it was one of the first federal agencies to implement the Presidential Executive Orders issued earlier in the year.

Onyemenam, a Comptroller of Immigration, said the NIS was also the first agency to be awarded the Presidential Impact Award in recognition of its contribution to the country’s ease of doing business.

She said the introduction of online pre-approval for Visa on Arrival, contributed greatly to the country’s improvement in the World Bank’s ease of doing business ranking from 169th to 145th position.

In his address, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mr Mohammed Babandede, described 2017 as a wonder year for the NIS.

“We achieved a lot not because I am the best or that I can work hard. Neither was it because I am intelligent. It is because I am lucky to have a good team.

“I am glad to say that Immigration Service has written its name in gold. We have been able to become one of the best.

“We have done the best training this year that has never been done in the history of Immigration service.

“We have trained officers in every training institution. I think we will do more,” Babandede said.

He congratulated the award recipients, who he said were selected through a transparent process, and urged them to do more.

The NIS boss reemphasised the need for men and officers of the Service to diversify their sources of income through agriculture. Nigeria Requires International Support To Reduce Effects Of Climate Change – Buhari

He said they were permitted by law to embark on agriculture as a business, adding that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was willing to assist them.

Speaking in this vein, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Audu Ogbeh, urged the NIS staff to embark on farming to escape poverty and hunger in retirement.

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“I used to be the chairman of a political party whose name I can’t remember now,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience.

“And I kept telling them that every officer in this country, especially politicians, should have a second address which, for you, is agriculture.

“The Constitution allows you to practise it. Please, get involved, I am talking from experience.

“The worst thing that can happen to you is to retire into hunger and poverty, idleness and early death.

“Stay active, go to your farm, keep busy and you will live long,” Ogbeh said.

The event featured music, cultural dance performances and comedy in a convivial atmosphere.

Several men and officers of the agency were honoured with different awards in recognition of their exceptional qualities and outstanding service.

Service chiefs and heads of paramilitary agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were represented at the occasion.